[Hiring] International Education Consultants @Cognition Learning Group

Role Description

We are seeking experienced International Education Consultants to support the design of a major donor-funded education investment focused on strengthening lower secondary education, teacher quality, inclusion and education system reform in Cambodia.

The programme aims to identify the most effective approaches to improving learning outcomes, participation and completion in lower secondary education, while strengthening teacher development systems, institutional capacity and inclusive education practices. The assignment will involve:

• Education sector analysis
• Stakeholder consultation
• Investment option development
• Preparation of procurement-ready programme design documentation

Qualifications

• At least 10 years' professional experience in education reform, education systems strengthening, programme design, policy development, teacher development, MEL/MERL, GEDSI or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience designing, reviewing or evaluating international education programmes or investments.
• Experience working with Ministries of Education, government agencies and education sector stakeholders.
• Experience working on DFAT-funded programmes, education investments, design assignments or similar donor-funded initiatives.
• Strong analytical, consultation, facilitation and report-writing skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Requirements

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Education, International Development, Public Policy, Educational Leadership, Social Sciences, Monitoring & Evaluation or a related discipline.
• Additional specialist qualifications relevant to the consultant's area of expertise.

Benefits

• Remote technical support and report production
• Participation in stakeholder consultations and workshops
• Collaboration with Ministries of Education and development partners
• Contributions to programme design documentation and technical papers
• Engagement with national and international education experts
• Potential in-country deployment and consultation activities, subject to project requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership
  • Provide high-quality technical advice aligned to international best practice in education reform and development.
  • Support education investment design, programme development and strategic planning processes.
  • Translate evidence and research into practical, contextually relevant programme recommendations.
  • Contribute to high-quality technical reports, design documents and analytical products.
• Education System Strengthening
  • Support analysis of education systems, institutions and policy environments.
  • Contribute to reform recommendations for teacher quality, educational leadership and system performance.
  • Strengthen institutional capacity and sustainable implementation approaches.
  • Identify opportunities for locally led and system-owned reform.
• Programme Design
  • Support programme design processes from inception through to final documentation.
  • Contribute to development of program logic, results frameworks and implementation approaches.
  • Assist in assessing delivery models, governance arrangements and partnership structures.
  • Support quality assurance and peer review processes.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build effective relationships with Ministries of Education, development partners and education stakeholders.
  • Facilitate workshops, consultations and technical discussions.
  • Support co-design and localisation processes.
  • Contribute to programme learning, adaptive management and sustainability planning.

Key Competencies

• Strong technical advisory and problem-solving capability.
• Experience working effectively within complex government and donor-funded environments.
• Ability to translate policy, evidence and international good practice into practical programme recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation and relationship management skills.
• Excellent analytical, research and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and international teams.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, safeguarding and locally led development principles.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English (required).
• Khmer or another Southeast Asian language would be advantageous but is not essential.

Application Instructions

Please submit:

• CV (maximum 3-4 pages) highlighting relevant assignments and technical expertise.
• Brief statement outlining your suitability and relevant international education experience.
• Details of relevant donor-funded assignments, particularly DFAT-funded work.
• Countries and regions in which you have worked.
• Availability and proposed daily rate.

We particularly welcome applications from consultants with substantial experience in Cambodia and Southeast Asia, as well as those with strong education investment design and donor-funded programme experience.